The Taipei District Court has resumed proceedings in a major corruption case after a one-month hiatus, following witness testimony on October 30.
The allegations of corruption regarding land development in Taipei have implicated several significant political figures, including former Taiwan People's Party chairman and Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je, who has been described as running a "crucial legal marathon for his political life."
Over 3,400 non-testimonial pieces of evidence and statements from over 170 individuals collected over the past year will be presented in court sessions held on Thursday and Friday, with oral arguments scheduled to begin on December 15 and expected to span eight successive work days.
The court has opted to present the voluminous evidence via slides to avoid lengthy procedures that could delay the trial. The review will ensure the "authenticity," "legality," and "relevance" of evidence to prevent future appeals on procedural grounds, allowing the defense to challenge the validity of unfavorable evidence.
The court aims to finish the hearing by the end of the year to address concerns about judicial efficiency. Legal observers anticipate a judgment issued by the first half of 2026.
Hard Drive Under Scrutiny
The prosecution's focus is on the accusation that Ko Wen-je allegedly accepted NT$15 million from a wealthy entrepreneur. The accusation is based ona purported record of the transaction found in anExcel file on an external hard drive labeled seized from Ko's residence.
While these claims have been corroborated by testimony from several donors, Ko and his defense team repeatedly questioned the integrity of the seizure, suggested the data was altered or contaminated, and emphasized that the spreadsheet was not created by him.
They argue the direct reading of the hard drive during the trial has broken the originalchain of evidence, with Ko previously criticizing the prosecution for "piecing together stories from seized phones and computers."
Live Broadcast Controversy
The transparency of the proceedings also remains a focal point, as the court weighs how to balance privacy and public interest. （Related： Zelensky Promises Ukrainian Elections Within 90 Days of Receiving Security Guarantees ｜ Latest ）
The Taipei District Court previously agreed to make recorded videos available five days after oral arguments and verdicts, but did not permit live streaming. Ko formally appealed this decision on December 10, arguing that the public should have access toreal-time proceedings. Next Monday's oral arguments will still be recorded per the original court decision, pendingthe High Court's court ruling on the appeal.
